Free State pensioner reveals the monthly gap his SASSA grant can’t close

Benjamin Skele never has to chase his SASSA payment. The Free State pensioner receives his Older Person’s Grant directly into his TymeBank account every month, and he rates SASSA’s communication with recipients highly. Yet a smooth payment system has not solved his biggest problem.

Skele, who is in his early sixties, has collected the Older Person’s Grant for three years. He lives alone in government-subsidised housing, and nobody else depends on his income. He told *The South African’s *SASSA grant survey that he has never experienced a problem with his payments.

The trouble starts after the money lands. The Older Person’s Grant currently pays R2 400 a month for recipients aged 60 and over, and Skele spends most of it on food and groceries. Still, the money never lasts. He ran out before the month ended, and he went without food for the past month.

Rising food prices keep him hungry

Skele names the cost of living and rising food prices as his biggest financial worry. He says his SASSA grant does not cover his basic needs, and he regularly struggles to make ends meet.

He keeps his other costs low. However, careful spending cannot close the gap when grocery bills keep climbing while his grant stays fixed for the year.

He also tried to secure additional government support beyond his SASSA grant, but he was either declined or gave up on the process.

Job hunting close to home

Skele has not given up on earning extra income. He describes himself as unemployed and looking for work, with experience in admin and office work. However, he can only travel under five kilometres for a job, which narrows his options considerably.

Asked what one thing he would change about SASSA, Skele chose a higher grant amount. He also named knowing when to renew or reapply as his biggest challenge with the system, and he requested a comprehensive SASSA grants guide with the latest news.

His experience mirrors that of many older South Africans whose grants arrive on time but run dry long before the next payday.

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